The Kings are reeling a little bit to start the season, sitting at 2-3 and coming off their worst offensive performance of the Mike Brown era. Yes, they have been without De’Aaron Fox for the last two games but last year’s historic offensive output has yet to be seen. The Kings are still in Houston tonight and will look to come home with at least one win from this road trip, but it will take a far better effort than they’ve shown so far.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Monday, November 6th, 5:00 PM PT
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Three in the Key
Hot Start
The Kings got off to a terrible start against the Rockets on Saturday and it set the tone for the whole game. Sacramento found themselves down by as much as 17 points in the first quarter alone, and it was a combination of olé defense and bad offense. The Rockets got comfortable early and while they struggled for stretches later in the game, the Kings never really got into a groove. Tonight, the Kings need to get going from tip-off.
Attack the Paint
Part of Sacramento’s offensive struggles have come from their reliance on the three point shot, which hasn’t been falling. The Kings are shooting 43 three pointers a game but only making 32.6% of them. Many of those attempts are wide open too. If the three isn’t falling, the Kings need to be better about getting shots in the paint and at the rim. Mike Brown spoke about how the Kings need to respond better when shots aren’t falling. Houston did a good job of packing the paint in the first game, but we’ll see what kind of adjustments Mike Brown and staff make in game two.
Push the Pace
By far the biggest downside to not having Fox is missing out on how quickly he gets the Kings into their offense and how fast he attacks. Without him, the Kings have been far slower to get into their sets.
Not so fun stat.
Kings pace in first three games with De’Aaron Fox: 104.05 (4th in NBA)
Kings pace in last two games with De’Aaron Fox out: 96.25 (last in NBA)
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) November 5, 2023
Fox has been ruled out of tonight’s game, and the Kings will once again be without Trey Lyles.
Prediction
Sacramento’s outside shots finally start falling and the Kings take care of business on the road to get back to .500.
Kings 121, Rockets 116
We came in in search of a sweep,
A goal that did not seem too steep.
After losing the first
We now need a burst.
Let’s quit digging a hole that’s too deep!
+1 Let Monk chip away at the Rockets!
&ct=g
Must win!
If the first quarter tonight looks anything like Saturday’s, I may have to bail. I wasn’t nearly as mad at the Kings during the last game as I was at myself for sitting all the way through it.
I can take watching the Kings lose, but they were about as aesthetically displeasing as a team can be. It was like listening to static for two hours.
Houston already knows we have a problem
The biggest issue for this team right now is that they can’t make any shots. If Keegan and Huerter hit shots this team can win and if they don’t then they’re going to lose. I think it’s about this simple. I picked them to lose on Saturday and I picked them to lose again today as well. I don’t see them winning very often if they continue to look like they have to start the year.
Rock the Beam!
If not – Sac will have the first losing streak of the season! If they win, back at .500 (or, gulp, .333).
Beat the Rocats with no Fox!
If we can get this win…it would be great. However, there will be no complete liftoff until the undisputed champ is back.
Badge Legend